BACKGROUND: A fantastic low elevation slope site just E of Cle Elum. The few trees present have most of their branches on the uphill sides, showing evidence of reliable winds at this spot. The elevation is only 2500' so it should have a lot more warm flying days than the nearby Table Mountain site (6000'+). A great view of the lower part of Swauk Creek and the backside of Lookout mountain. I suspect this will become a pretty popular slope spot due to it's easy access, wind, and good landing areas, but there is a nice ranch on private land in the valley below, so let's be good slope citizens and mind our manners so we can keep flying there!
SLOPE TERRAIN: 10% rocks half buried in sandy soil, extensive flower and tall grass covering, no sage. About three trees. Very nice landing areas, basically the whole hill, especially the flats back from the edge. Looks like the best spot for flying expensive slope ships I've seen yet close to Seattle. About 700' of vertical relief of gradually increasing slope as you drop down from the top of the hill.
Flying Swauk Butte: Judging from it's location in the Yakima drainage upwind of notoriously windy Ellensburg, I'd guess that it's probably windy a lot here, probably always a west wind, which is good because you fly from the W end of a plateau and there will be zero lift with anything but a west wind! Lift: Big and smooth, can be noticeably less vertical at the top, unless you drop down into the valley a hundred feet or so out to hit the lift above the steeper parts of the hillside. As long as you stay clear of the three trees, you'll have an unlimited sky, no problems downwind, a good place for those sky eating slope rockets. Make sure you stay away from the power lines 1/2 mile N though!
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/us/cities/WA_Ellensburg.html
GETTING THERE: Take
I-90 E from Seattle to the last Cle Elum exit. Turn R (East) on Hwy 903
after exiting. You should now be on the N side of I-90 heading east. In
about 2 miles turn right onto the old Cle Elum - Ellensburg Highway, Hwy
10. Follow for about 10 miles as it follows the Yakima River valley.( Don't
even bother slope lusting about that huge, grassy mountain you drive past
on the left, it's called Lookout mountain and it's all private land. I
tried every road up already.) Keep your eyes peeled for a left onto a dirt
road called Hayward Road. Turn left on Hayward Road. After 1/2 mile you'll
come around a bend and be within 50' of the top of a wonderful, west facing
flower covered bench overlooking the Yakima River, this is the Yakima Overlook
site. Keep on going past the canal, then the road climbs to the top of
the plateau, then sets off to the N. Continue until you pass under
power lines at about 2.2 miles from the highway. Let yourself throught
the range gate on the W side of the road just after the power lines. Make
sure you leave the gate as you find it! Follow the maintainance road W
along the power lines,
you'll
come to the edge of a big valley. At that point look SW and you'll see
a faint spur road climbing a small knob or point about 1/4 mile away. Drive
over to the spur and drive onto the top of the knob. You're there. See
the map as well. Caution: The maintainance road has some medium deep ruts,
but not many rocks. Not a great passenger car road, but you can probably
make it if you don't mind beating your rig a bit. No problem for a vehicle
with decent or better clearance..
Approximate driving times: 1 1/2 to 2 hrs from Seattle. Depending on your right foot and your slope lust.
Information contributed by SASS's intrepid Eastern Washington slope explorer: Chris Erikson.
Page designed for the SASS by RED, enthusiast and club member.
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